Crime and Punishment — Vocabulary
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	58	top 1000
deliriumdelirium → delirious:mentally confused She should not be left alone in case the fever returns and makes her delirious.more Show sample from book it's simply the weakness of fever, a moment's delirium,57 more state of mental confusion Show general definition for delirium (as in: fever induced delirium) a usually brief state of mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations Show editor's word notes Delirium can result from high fever, intoxication, withdrawal, brain injury, and many other causes.
	32	top 1000
convictionfirm belief Even though many kids laughed at her idea, Bella spoke with great conviction that recycling one bottle could really help save the planet.more Show sample from book I regard you in any case as a man of noble character and not without elements of magnanimity, though I don't agree with all your convictions.†31 more conviction → convictions:a strong, firmly held belief Show general definition for conviction (as in: spoke with conviction) a strong, firmly held belief
	34	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book But you know, peasants live there, real rude Russian peasants.33 more peasant → peasants:a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock (used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country) Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	23	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book I don't condemn her for it, I don't blame her, for the one thing left her is recollection of the past, and all the rest is dust and ashes.†22 more recollect → recollection:memory Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
	21	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book He hoped, moreover, that he would not fall down in the street.†20 more
	28	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book But there was such accumulated bitterness and contempt in the young man's heart, that, in spite of all the fastidiousness of youth, he minded his rags least of all in the street.27 more intense dislike and disrespect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	21	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book you are living in this filth which you loathe so,20 more Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	17	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book Excuse me, I fancied so from your inquiry.†16 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	17	top 500
haughtyarrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important) It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.more Show sample from book A haughty smile appeared on his lips.16 more arrogant or condescending; i.e., acting superior or self-important
	23
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book As for getting the axe, that trifling business cost him no anxiety, for nothing could be easier.22 more trifle → trifling:minor (unimportant or easily done) Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	18	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book At least you didn't deceive yourself for long, you went straight to the furthest point at one bound.†17 more lie or mislead Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	17	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book He vividly recalled those old doubts and perplexities,16 more perplex → perplexities:things that confuse Show general definition to confuse
	21	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book It was evident that that idea had very often occurred to her before and he had only roused it again.†20 more rouse → roused:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	16	top 1000
resolutedetermined and unwavering She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.more Show sample from book During all this period Razumihin wore an air of resolute determination.†15 more firm in purpose, belief, or action Show general definition firm in purpose, belief, or action
	23
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book Granted, granted, I am a scoundrel, but she is a woman of a noble heart, full of sentiments, refined by education.†22 more Show general definition someone without moral principles
	16
contemptiblevery bad (deserving no respect) She is uninformed and her views are contemptible.more Show sample from book There is one expression in the letter, one slander about me, and rather a contemptible one.†15 more deserving no respect (worthless or of bad quality)
	9
benefactorfinancial supporter She is the largest benefactor of the museum.more Show sample from book It's remarkable, in fact, that the majority, indeed, of these benefactors and leaders of humanity were guilty of terrible carnage.†8 more benefactor → benefactors:people who help a person or organization Show general definition someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially
	9
interposeinterpose → interposed:inserted She interposed herself between them before someone threw a punch.more Show sample from book "That's all true," Zossimov hastened to interpose.†8 more insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others Show general definition to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
	7	top 2000
impudentrudely disrespectful The impudent student rolled his eyes when the teacher asked him to be quiet.more Show sample from book But she was obviously embarrassed at filling half the room and smelling so strongly of scent; and though her smile was impudent as well as cringing, it betrayed evident uneasiness.†6 more improperly bold or disrespectful Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	6	top 1000
vindictiveinclined to seek revenge or desirous of hurting others Not being vindictive by nature, Grant did what he could to see that the Confederate prisoners were treated well.more Show sample from book "She is lying," he thought to himself, biting his nails vindictively.†5 more vindictive → vindictively:desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone Show general definition desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone